Seoul-Kyoto Joint Student Seminar in International Law
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Seminar Report by Hinako Takata (Kyoto)
If I were to summarize the two-day seminar within one sentence, I would say it was very intensive, enjoyable and fruitful. The seminar took 
place in Seoul National University (SNU) and approximately 20 students (mainly those in master’s and PhD courses) from Kyoto University and SNU participated. Each of us was a presenter on his/her respective research subject and/or a commentator, and we were to have as many as 12 sessions within 2 days.
Since I had never participated in or heard of such an innovative event, at first it was very difficult to imagine how the seminar could successfully proceed. Yet, as soon as we arrived at SNU, such worries quickly disappeared. The SNU students welcomed us so warmly, and I could easily tell 
that they had organized this event with the maximum effort, passion and hospitality.
When the sessions started, at first, we did not have very active discussions. Yet, as we became closer to each other through coffee break, lunch and dinner, the atmosphere gradually changed. By the end, all of us wished we had had more time for the productive and inspiring discussions. Also, it was very nice to talk with the SNU students outside the formal sessions and hear about various things--from their daily lives to their perspectives on international law and international affairs. After two days I felt that though we live in different countries and study in different environments, we share the same dream.
I am very grateful to Professor Shotaro Hamamoto (Kyoto University) and Professor Jaemin Lee (SNU), who came up with the innovative idea and who actually made it happen. I also thank everybody who organized this amazing event, especially the SNU students. Kyoto and Seoul are geographically not so far. Yet, for some reason we tend to feel more distanced than we actually are. The two-day seminar certainly brought the students from both universities very close and taught us how the discussions on international law and the friendship deriving therefrom can easily cross the national border. We promised to meet each other again. I hope the day will come soon.
